Artist&#39;s sketching kit.



F. CHRISTENSEN.

ARTISTS SKETCHING KIT.

APPLlCATION FILED FEB.2I. i916 LQLWW Patented A r. 3,1917.

FLORENCE oNRIsTENsEN, 0E NEw Yo'EK, N. Y.

ARTISTS sKEToHiNG 'Krr.

"Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 3, 1917.

Application filed February-21, 1916. Serial No. 79,585.

To all whom it may concern: 7

Be it known that I, FLoRENoE CHRISTEN- SEN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at New York, New York county, and State of New York,have invented and discovered certain new and useful Improvements inArtists Sketching Kits, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a combined palette and easel, orartists kit, and consists in the combinations and arrangements of partshereinafter described and particularly set forth in the accompanyingclaims.

The invention has for its purpose. to provide an article of thischaracter which will be of the least possible weight for ease andconvenient handling at arms length during sketching, as well as forcarrying, and to this end the easel is constructed not only to hold thepanel in rigidly erect position for working thereon, but to allow ofitsbeing readily released to fold over and provide a lid for the palettewhen the article is being carried, or otherwise not in use.

The invention is shown by way of illustration in the accompanyingdrawings, where- 1n Figure 1 is a perspective view of the kit, showingthe panel in position for working,

Fig. 2 a transverse sectional view thereof,

Fig. 3 a similar view of a modified form,

Fig. 4 illustrates the use of the kit with a supporting device, and VFig. 5 shows a slightly modified form in detail.

Referring to the construction in further detail, and wherein likereference characters designate corresponding parts, i the articleconsists of a base or board 1, providing the palette which may have theusual hole 2 for the thumb; and rigidly secured to said palette, alongthe rear edge thereof, is the folding support or easel. 1

The easel consists of a strip 3 suitably secured to the palette andbraced at its respective ends by the pair of cleats 4, or in any otherapproved manner. A strip 5 is connected to the strip 3 by the pair ofhinges 6, in a manner to permit said strip tobe folded inwardly (asshown in Fig. 2), or set rigidly erect when turned upwardly, as in themanner shown in Fig. 1. Said strip 5 is provided at its two ends with apair of inwardly projecting retaining members 7, and another pair ofretaining members 8 are secured to the cleats 4, in line with saidmembers 7, forming pockets or recesses adapted to receive the edge ofpanel 9 and hold the same in rigidly erect position, after the mannershown.

At times it may be preferred to have the panel supported in inclinedposition, and for such purpose the construction may be modified as shownin Fig. 5, which is substantially thesame as in Fig. 1, except thepockets for receiving the edge of the panel stand inclined.

The panel 9 is held in the pockets during use, and because of itscomparatively light weight, the kit may be conveniently supported atfull arms length with comparative ease. This advantage will beappreciated when it is considered that the least weight, when held atarms length, is the cause of much tiresome strain. When not otherwise inuse, the panel may serve as a lid or cover to overlie the palette. It isadjusted for such use by raising said panel the height of the strip 3,when the strip 5, yet holding the panel, is permitted to fold over,together with said panel, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

In its folded position, the panel 9 rests upon a pair of block-s or lugs.10 secured to the fore corners of the palette; and at the rear corners,the retaining members 7 engage with the cleats 4, when the whole forms alight and neat kit, convenient for carrying or storage. The face of thepanel 9 is thus spaced the proper distance fromthe palette to guardagainst smearing or other injury, and in like manner the paints that aredistribu-ted on the palette are completely protected. j

The invention further contemplates using reinforcing strips 11 and 12along the front and sideedges of the palette to keep the same fromwarping where palettes of larger sizes are used; Also a strip 20connecting blocks 8 to guard the lower edge of the panel againstsmearing from the paints. Said strips, together with the cleats 4 andcorner blocks 10, maybe of the proper dimension to form a box ifdesired. The two hooks 13, secured to the cleats 4, are adapted toengage with the pins 14 on the members 7 and hold the kit closed.

If preferred, the palette may be separate, as indicated in Fig. 3. Inthis arrangement, the kit will have a suitable frame forming its baseand to which the easel is secured along the rear edge, as above,-and thepalette 16 will be a separate board supported on the frame 15 in such amanner-as to readily give to permit the insertion of the thumb throughthe opening 2, as in the first mentioned case.

When the kit is larger than can conveniently be held by the hand alone,or is to be used for a long time continuously, a supporting device, suchas that shown in Fig. t, may be used. This support comprises a pair ofcrossed bars 15, having clamps of any appropriate form .(two forms beingshown, one at each end) with clamping screws 16 to engage with the frameor box, and a staff 17 which fits within a socket piece 18 secured tosaid arms15. Said staff is preferably-sectional, as is common inanalogous articles,

the sections being adapted tobe screwed together, vthe threads. on themiddle section running in opposite directions to facilitate thisoperation. In using this device, the staff rests on the ground,supporting all the weight, while the kit is held steady by the hand.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details ofconstruction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spiritof the invention, and therefore I do not wish to be limited to suchfeatures except as may be required by the claims.

Having thus fully described my said in vention, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

' 1. In combination, a palette, and a folding easel mounted thereonadapted to hold @a panel in position for work and also allow the same tooverlie the palette and form a lid therefor, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination, a palette, and a folding easel mounted thereoncomprising a strip secured to the palette and a strip hinged to saidsecured strip, said strips having members adapted to hold a panel inposition for work and also allow the same to overlie the palette'andform a lid therefor, substantially as set forth.

3. In combination, a palette, and a folding easel mounted thereoncomprising a strip secured to the palette, a strip hinged to saidsecured strip, and members secured to said strips forming a pockettherewith adapted Copies of this patent may be obtained for to hold apanel in position for work and also allow the same to overlie thepalette and form a lid therefor, substantially as set forth.

4. In combination, a palette, a folding easel mounted thereon adapted tohold a panel in position for work and also allow the same to overlie thepalette and form a lid therefor, and members secured to said palette toengage said paneland provide spacing means therefor, substantially asset forth.

5. In combination, a palette, a folding easel mounted thereon comprisinga strip secured to the palette, a strip hingedly mounted on said securedstrip, said strips having members adapted to hold a panel in positionfor work and also allow the same to overlie the palette and form a lidtherefor, and cleats secured to the palette adjacent the easel andadapted to engage with the members on said hinged strip when the panelis folded to provide spacing means therefor, substantially as set forth.

6. In combination, a frame, a palette carried by said frame, and afolding easel comprising a strip secured to the frame and a striphingedly mounted on said secured strip, and members carried by saidstrips adapted to receive and hold a panel in position for work and alsoallow the same to overlie the palette and form a lid therefor,substantially as set forth.

7. An artists kit comprising a pair of crossed bars, a frame removablymounted on said crossed bars, a sectional staff removably connected tosaid crossed bars and supporting the frame, a palette supported on saidframe, and an easel hinged to said frame. adapted to receive and supporta panel in position for use and also in position to cover the palette,substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at New York,New York,

this 19th day of February, A. D. nineteen hundred and sixteen.

FLORENCE CHRISTENSEN. [n 8.] Witnesses:

EDWIN EVANS, W. 'J. MCCARTHY.

Washington, I). G.

